Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,276, Sylvanus Gibbs, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Gibbs, Sylvanus Betsy
N. 24,276
CONTENTS

178342
Connecticut
Sylvanus Gibbs of Sharon in the State of Conn who was a Pri & Ensi. in the Conn commands by Captain _____ of the Regt commands by Maj. Elmore in the Conn Troops time for 100 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of, Conn at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Sept 1833 and State - Pension Sharon Conn
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 $158.92 Semest. allowance ending March - 31.66
$189.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Dillcock Clerk Book 60 Vol. 3 Page 16

New York 1686.
Betsy Gibbs widow of Sylvanus Gibbs, who died on the 9th June 1834, of Schoharie in the State of New York, who was a private in the Comp y commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Maj. Elmer, in the Connecticut line for 10 mo s private. 3 - Ensign.
Inscribed on the Roll of Allowance at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 10th June 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Jan- uary 1838 and sent to Giles F. Yates, Schoharie.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 37 $206.87 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar ch 38 31.66
$238.53
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by J. M. Cundy Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 109.

September Security 8/25 One thousand seven hundred seventy seven
Sylvanus Gibbs and Betty Elmer both of Sharon were married - 11
I Mason Grosvenor Minister of the first Congregational Society in the town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and state of Connecticut do hereunto say that I am keeper of the Records of the Church belonging to said Society which Records contain a majority of the original performance by the Ministers of said Society. That the foregoing is a true copy of the said Records with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Records in fair Cyrillic figures as follows
Sept. 28 } Sylvanus Gibbs & Betty Elmer 1777 } both of Sharon were married
I Mason Grosvenor above named do hereunto say that I hold the office of Minister of the first Congregational Society in the town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut and that the above is a true extract from the Records of the Church of said Society with the exception above named, as certified by me
Soon before me                      Mason Grosvenor } Minister of the Chas. F. Southwick } Clerk of the } First Congregational Dear Father } Church in Sharon County of Litchfield

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, } ss. Litchfield. LITCHFIELD COUNTY.
I Origen S. Seymour Clerk
of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Charles H. Sedgwick Esq. is a _____
Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized to administer Oaths and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds . And that his commission was dated on the 10 th day of June A. D. 1837 and will expire on the 20th day of June, A. D. 1838. and that the signature purporting to be his to the annexed instrument is genuine. _____
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this
27 th day of December A. D. 1837
Origen S. Seymour Clerk

V 2018 In the matter of the application of Betsy Gibbs widow of Capt. Sylvanus Gibbs dec d —
Proceedings under the act of 4 th July 1836 Married 28 Sept. '77- deduct. adm d 10 mo pri. $33 33 3 — Ensign 30 Agent $63 33/100 Giles F. Yates Schenectada N.Y.
died 29 June 1834- Widow's pen: commenced 10 June 1834

STATE OF NEW-YORK, ss.
On this twenty fourth day of May 1837 - , personally appeared before Cornelius S. Conde one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Schenectady, Betsy Gibbs a resident of the town of Glenville - in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Sylvanus Gibbs who was a Captain in the Militia of the State of Connecticut, during the war of the revolution, and that he received, a pension under the act of June 1832 of $63 per annum
She further declares that she was married to the said Sylvanus Gibbs - on the twenty eighth day of September , in the year seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven ; that her husband, the aforesaid Sylvanus Gibbs , died on the Ninth day of June 1834 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me the said Judge - C.S. Conde
Betsy Gibbs mark
I, Cornelius S. Conde the said Judge before whom the foregoing declaration of said Betsy Gibbs has been taken, do certify, that said Betsy Gibbs cannot attend Court owing to bodily infirmity, and cannot write her name owing to the same cause - Given under my hand this 24 th day of May 1837 .
C. S. Conde { Judge
State of New York } Schenectady County } Clerks Office } ss.
Jonathan C. Burnham clerk
of the County of Schenectady do hereby certify that Cornelius S. Conde Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of Betsy Gibbs purports to have been sworn, was on the date of said affidavit

a Judge in the Common Pleas Court of the said County and duly authorized to administer oaths And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed to the the foregoing Affidavit & Certificate is genuine
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this 26 th day of May A.D. 1837
J. C. Burnham Clerk

The Deposition of Thomas Heath of Sherrin the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut. who testifies and says that he is now of the age of eighty one years and was a soldier in the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States. This Deposition was well acquainted with the late Captain Sylvanus Gibbs who died at said Sherrin a few years since, and was with Horace Gibbs in the army during the campaign of 1775.
This deponent is also well acquainted with Betsey Gibbs the widow of the said Sylvanus Gibbs and also knows her before her intermarriage with the said Gibbs when she bore the name of Betsey Elnore. She also knows her father David Elnore formerly of said Sherrin - The said Sylvanus Gibbs was married to the said Betsey Elnore as this deponent thinks in the year 1777. The said Betsey Gibbs is still living & remains the widow of the said Sylvanus Gibbs having been intermarried since his death that this deponent has seen her -
Thomas Heath

State of Connecticut fr. County of Litchfield.
On this 18 th day of April  May 1877 Personally appeared the above named Thomas Heath and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed - And I further certify that the said Thomas Heath is a credible witness -
Chas. F. Sedgwick Justice of the Peace -
The Deposition of Maria Groomer of the town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age who testifies and says that in the Minutes of the first Congregational Society in said Sharon, and the Pastor of the Church connected therewith, that he has in his possession a book containing the Records of the said Church and also a Register of the Marriages celebrated by the Ministers of said Society, that in said Book he finds an entry in the words following -
Sept r 28 th 1777 Sylvanus Pibbs & Betty Holmes both of Sharon were married -

which only according to the best knowledge and belief of this deponent is in the handwriting of the Reverend Cotton Mather Smith, the former Minister of said Society.
And further this deponent saith not.
Mason Grosvenor
State of Connecticut, Litchfield County
May 20. 1887.
Personally appeared Mason Grosvenor and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed and I further certify that the said Mason Grosvenor is a credible witness.
Chas. F. Sedgwick Minister of the Gospel.

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield
I Origen S. Seymour, Clerk of the County Court for said County hereby certify that Charles H Sedgwick Esq of Sharon in said County is & for more than one year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for said County duly Commissioned &c & that the foregoing are his genuine signatures. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 22 d day of May A D 1837.
Origen S. Seymour. Clerk.

State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield Jr. Probate District of Sharon
At a Court of Probate for the District of Sharon held at Salisbury on the 31. day of July A D 1832 Present Samuel Church Esq. Judge.
On this 31 st day of July A D 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the said District of Sharon, the same being a Court of Record now sitting, Sylvanus Gibbs a resident of the town of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and a State of Connecticut, and Probate District of Sharon aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn and owing to law doth on his oath make the follow- ing declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. I was born in the said town of Sharon in the Year 1754, I have no other record of my age, but I am well aware from the Town Clerk of said town of Sharon that the time of my birth is recorded on the public record of said town. I was residing in said town of Sharon when called into the service of my country in the Revolutionary struggle, and have always since the close of the war lived in said town of Sharon in the same place where I now live. On the 8 th

day of day as I now think in the Year 1775 I enlisted as volunteer into a company of Connecticut State troops under Major Samuel Elmore of said Sharon. The officers of the company into which I enlisted were Aaron Chaplin of said Sharon and Oliver Purnell of Bethlehem, and Ensign Shepherd. I believe his christian name was Mary of Barkhamsted in said county of Litchfield, the Colonel of the Regiment was Colonel Heman Bloodbury in said county whose Christian name I have forgotten. The above were the officers under whom I served. I enlisted as aforesaid for Seven months. on the 1 st day of June 1775 we marched from said Sharon to Sheffield in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, from thence to Fort Gage and to Scituate, some part of our Regiment stopped at Scituate, but three com- panies of which my company was one with Major Elmore marched to Crown Point. I remained at Crown Point until some time in December of the same year, while at Crown Point I was generally employed as waiter to the said Major Elmore, but during the latter part of the time I acted in the capacity of Assistant Commissary the principal Commissary was Hildreth at the end of my term of enlistment. I returned to Sharon. I remember the name of the Sergeant Major was Brown. General Wooster was at Crown Point a few days while I was there, General

Seymour was then as Chief in command at Second oga & Brown Ponds. When I was discharged it was by order from General Seymour at Secondoga, but I received no written discharge. Nor have I any written documents in my possession to prove this service, but have heard the pay roll of our company read at New four weeks last past, which pay Roll or a certified copy thereof under the hand of Oliver Ellsworth Clerk of the Pay Table Committee is now in the possession of Mr. Ebenezer Dyer of said Sharon, on which my name is set down as one of the company.
Afterwards I think the Genl that Gen- eral Burgoyne was taken. I think in the fall of the year, there were Military Stores, provisions &c for the Army deposited in the said Town of Sharon by authority. A guard was raised by the authority of Connecticut to guard these stores under the command of Captain David Dyer of said Sharon, I enlisted into this guard which was composed of twenty five or thirty men for the term of three months & was employed during the whole of this time in guarding & protecting the Military Stores at said Sharon, for which I never received either pay or rations.
In the month of September October 1750 I think, at any rate the same year I was drafted into the Connecticut Militia as one Ensign into a Com- pany commanded by Captain Adonai at Griswold

Said Sharrow, & the Lieutenants name I have forgotten as he never joined us but I am understood he belonged to Connecticut, I marched with my company to the Hudson River opposite West Point, we were drafted for the term of forty five days immediately upon the news of Arnold's treason & marched directly to the S. H. before the expiration of the time we were discharged by General Howe after serving about twenty days. General Howe was quartered in a house on this side the River, other Officers were there but I do not recollect their names.
Immediately on my return home in October  September 1780 I was drafted as an Ensign in a company of Connecticut Militia commanded by Captain Solomon Collins of Salisbury & Lieutenant Brownell I think of Salisbury or Canaan. We marched to the town of Stratford on the sea board in Connecticut we joined a Major's Command, the name of the Major was Strong , we were drafted and engaged as a guard on the coast of Long Island quartered in said town of Stratford & was detached and served as an Ensign in the service for forty five days. The town of Stratford raised a guard at the same time for its own protection under Lieutenants Walker & Said Stratford. The name of the adjutant was Benjamin.

After my return from Green Point as before stated & before I was drafted as an Ensign as aforesaid. I looked around among several others from said Sharon and its vi- cinity into a detachment of Volunteers and marched to near the town of Pokeskeepsie by reason of the rising of the Tories in that vicinity, who were assuming the whips we choose our own officers and Elijah Porter Captain James Pardee (Said) Sharon Lieutenant We took position there and shot one another where we did not kill, we brought a part or all of the Tories we took & they were confined in Tullfield Goal, we were engaged in this expedition about four days.
On the alarm occasioned by the burning of Danbury in the (Year 1777) I again volunteered & went to Danbury under command of Major Gay of said Sharon, and marched to Danbury, and was engaged in a conflict with the enemy on Camp Hill  There Wooster was killed at Ridgefield a few days before, I had a ball shot thro my hat and another thru the sleeve of my coat, we followed the ene- my on their retreat until they disembarked & went on board their ships. I was engaged in this service about Seven days .
After this I think in the same year the Tories again rose upon the whips in Hillsdale in Columbia County in the State of New York
2092 5166 12666 15872

And I again volunteered with many others in my vicinity & went to Hillsdale to submit the forces we had no regular officers, I was engaged about three days on this Service. I never received any written discharge from any town of Service, nor have I any written documents by which to prove any of my Service, tho' I had a Commission on two towns Service as before stated as an Ensign, which Commission was signed by Jonathan Trumbull Governor of the State of Connecticut, the Commission I returned for many years, but being placed among many other Military papers considered useless in due the roof of my house, by reason of the leak- ing of the water thro' the roof it became with other papers rotted & destroyed, but the record of my Commission can be had from the Public record of the State of Connecticut if necessary. I do not know of any person now living except as here after will appear by whom my said Service can be proved. And I hereby relinquish all claims for any pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State
I am known to Hon John Cotton Smith, Hon Asael Stearns, Hon Charles F. D. Smith, Rev. David L. Perry & many others in my vicinity who can testify to my character for veracity & their belief of my Service as a soldier of the Revolution. Given to I subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Samuel Church Judge of Probate
S. J. Barnes 965

At the same Court, Personally appeared Thomas Heath of Sharon in the said County of Middlesex, known personally to this Court to be a witness of truth and veracity & having been in open Court first sworn according to law on his oath doth testify and say that he is acquainted with Capt. Sylvanus Gibbs of said Sharon who has subscribed an oath to the foregoing declaration; & that he knows that the said Gibbs enlisted in the said company raised by Colonel Samuel Elmore, and that he enlisted as he has stated for the term of Seven months, that he marched to Crown Point with said company and under the officers as stated by him, that I was a member of the same company and enlisted at the same time with the said Gibbs, that said Gibbs remained at Crown Point in service at said Crown Point as he states as long as I remained there which was three months and a half, when I was called off to march to St Johns I left the said Gibbs in service at Crown Point, and I suppose and verily believe and have ever understood that the said Gibbs faithfully served out his entire term of service of Seven months, and said Gibbs returned home with me. I do hereby certify the year & day aforesaid. Thomas Heath Jamaica Court Recd. of Probate

At the same Court, Personally appeared in open Court Samuel Canfield of said Sharon, personally known to this Court as a credible witness, who having been duly sworn according to law, on his oath doth testify & say, In the year 1777 I was in Sharon, under Lieutenant David Smith who belonged to the Con- tinental Army. Lieutenant Smith had com- mand of a Guard in the said town of Sharon, detailed to guard the Continental Stores in said Sharon in the latter part of the season, when the British took post at the North River. There was a company of men raised in said Sharon whether by draft or not I don't know, to assist the Continental forces to guard the stores aforesaid. These forces did not perform Sentry duties, but were engaged as patrols in riding thro' & patrolling the country round about They were called the Patrols, during this time I became familiarly acquainted with Captain Sylvanus Gibbs who has subscribed known to the aforesaid declar- tion. Capt Gibbs was then a member of the said Patrols Guard as he has stated. I don't know how long he served as such, nor since the war I have been acquainted with the said Sylvanus Gibbs now called Captain Gibbs, & he is considered a man of truth and veracity.
Samuel Canfield
At the same Court, in open Court personally appeared Jeremiah Backnell of Salisbury in the said county of Pittsfield, known to this Court to be a credible

witness who having been sworn according to law on his oath doth testify say, that some time during the war of the Revolution & I believe in the year 1780 I belonged to a company of State troops commanded by Captains John Collins & David Salisbury, & Lieutenants Brownell of Canaan, & Ensign Sylvanus Gibbs of Sharon, I well knew Sylvanus Gibbs who has subscribed to & sworn to the foregoing declaration & have known him ever since, I belonged to the same company & was with him at Stratford in Connecticut when in his declaration has before stated. I don't account the precise time we were drafted on this service, but I know Sylvanus Gibbs at that time as an Ensign during said time & that at the expiration of our term of service I came home in company with the said Gibbs from Stratford from to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Sylvanus Gibbs Deputy Clerk of Probate Jeremiah Bushnell
And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interroga- tories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, and that the said Sylvanus Gibbs is known per- sonally to this Court as a person of credibility, & has long been re- puted to have been an active soldier of the Revolution.
By the Court
Elijah C. Root Clerk

I Abijah C. Peet Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sylvanus Gibbs for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at the Probate Office in Salisbury September 3 rd 1832.
Abijah C. Peet Clerk
Sylvanus Gibbs W. 252

We Daniel L. Perry a Clergyman, and Charles F. Pidgeon, both residing in the town of Sherman in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut do depose and say that we are personally acquainted with Captain Sylvanus Sibley of said Sherman that we believe him to be seventy nine years old, that he is a man of fair character for truth & veracity & that it is reported believed that the neighborhood where he resides that he performed military service in the army of the Revolution
Daniel L. Perry
Chas. F. Pidgeon
Soornly subscribed this 26 th day of June
D D B B.
Before me Nathl Sterling Justice of Peace

I, Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the public records and of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify, That Sylvanus Gibbs was, by the General Assembly of said State, at the session thereof held at Hartford on the second Thursday of May 1780, established to be Ensign of the eighth company or trainband in the fourteenth Regiment in said State; and that Ebenezer Gay Esq. was, by said Assembly, at the same session, appointed to be Lieutenant Colonel of said fourteenth Regiment of Militia, in the room of Joshua Porter Esq. resigned: all which appears of record.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, the 25 th day of June, A. D. 1833.
Thomas Day

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield } District of Sharon
At a Court of Probate for the District of Sharon held at Canaan on the 27 th day of June A D 1833. Present
W m M. Burrall Esq d . Judge
Personally appeared in open Court before the said Court of Probate the same being a Court of Record - Sylvanus Gibbs who being duly sworn made the following additional declaration to one made by him before this Court on the 31 st day of July A D 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1832.
That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length of service performed by him in the Revolutionary army than he has already done in his first declaration, but according to his best recollection he served not less than the period men- tioned in his former declaration hereto annexed and in the same grades of office and service then as described and by him subscribed and sworn to, and for such service he claims a Pension sworn to and subscribed the day and year - aforesaid
Sylvanus Gibbs Before me W m M. Burrall Judge of Probate
At the same Court the said Sylvanus Gibbs produced to this Court his said original application which has been

returned to him
returned to him from the War Department. and also the Certificate of the Secretary of the State of Connecticut. and also the deposition of Rev David S Perry & Charles F Sedgwick Esq. which said papers are hereto prefixed. and this Court doth certify that. the said the said Rev David S Perry is a settled Clergymen resident in said Town of Sharon. and that said Charles F Sedgwick Esq. is a highly respectable gentleman also resid. in said Town. And this Court doth further certify that the Hon. Asael Sturges before whom said deposition purports to have been taken is a justice of the Peace within & for the County of Litchfield and that the signature to the certificate upon said deposition is in his own proper hand writing. and that full faith and credit is to be given thereto.
By the Court Wm P Durnall Clerk
I Wm P Durnall Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the district of Sharon do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the Original and Supple- mentary applications of Sylvanus Gibbs for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and the seal of said Court this 27 th day of June 1833
Wm P Durnall Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24.276
Betsy Gibbs widow of Sylvanus Gibbs Consignee Rev. no.
Act: July 1 th 1836
Index:—Vol. A , Page 274
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Lt. to Giles F. Gates July 10, 1837. Hon. J. J. De Graff Oct. 27, 1837.

to Hon P Smith Dec 14 1837
Send cert to G H Yates Esq Schenectady NY

Sylvanus Gibbs Loan: act of Jan y 63.33/1000 - when cast up?
H. M. C. Jan y 4 1838
Disc d of t June 1834 paid to that period SA

Sylvanus Gibbs
\begin{array}{r} 26.66 \\ 2.77 \\ \hline 29.43 \end{array}
10 in pinate 3 in Ensign # 63.33

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sylvanus Gibbs which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes, except for 20 days V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No see quere VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. † Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department; he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Vadnais, August 7, N.H.
Rev. Evans
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.

In the matter of the application of Betsy Gibbs widow of Sylvanus Gibbs for a pension under the act of 4 th July 1836.
Sir.
I send herewith pursuant to your requisition the supple- mental deposition of Betsy Gibbs in the above matter. It is out of her power to give a more specific statement of her husband's ser- vices than that contained in this deposition - which I hope will be satisfactory.
Yours respectfully
G. H. Weeks
Pittsfield Aug t 2 d 1837.
To J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions &c

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington D.C.

Schenectada, May 26 th 1837.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir.
I send herewith documents to prove the claim of Betsy Gibbs for a pension under the act of 4 th July 1836, and await your decision thereon
Your obed Servt
J. L. Edwards

Shawn Or Dick
Free Ct-
Hon Perry Smith Senate U.S.
Washington City
Hon. J. Smith Senate

Sharon Dec 4, 1887.
Hon Perry Smith Dr Sir -
I wish to ask your assistance in behalf of Mrs Betsey Gibbs widow of Captain Sylvanus Gibbs late of this town who was a Pensioner - Captain Gibbs served in the early part of the Revolutionary War as a private, and afterward as an Ensign, and was a member of your Company before his death. He drew a pension of 63 dollars 88 cents. The arrears of pension due at the time of his death was only paid to Mrs Gibbs and the certificate recommended up to the Commission of Pension - Since the death of her husband Mrs Gibbs has gone to live with a daughter of hers, Mrs Hamlin in the neighborhood of Schenectady N. Y. - Under the act of July 4, 1866 she made application for a pension and sent on her proof to make the necessary proof of her marriage and of her services of her husband in the army - The difficulty which has arisen in her case will appear from the enclosed letter from G. F. Yates Esq. her Attorney and it is desirable that the mistake should be corrected in some way so that she shall not be deprived of her just claim by the mere misapprehension of Mr Yates.
After the war Capt. Gibbs was for a number of years a Captain in the militia and in that way the mistake arose - He was a respectable citizen and nobody ever knew him otherwise as a soldier.

that he actually served in the army as as part in his original declaration - I will thank you if you will call at the Pension Office and make the proper explanation touching the matter and after finding that way be wanted to put the matter right from now. Mr. Yates on the subject - I have ventured to say to him that he may be sum of your assistance in this matter and may write to you on the subject if he deems it necessary - As I opened Catherine Piles in respect to his pension while he was living and as I am permitted beyond all doubt that the claim of his widow is a meritorious one I have ventured to ask the favor of your assistance in the matter.
Respectfully Your Old Friend
Chas. F. Jenkins

In the matter of the application of Betsy Gibbs, widow of Sylvanus Gibbs, for a pension under the act of 4 th July 1836.
Supplemental Deposition

In the matter of the application of Betsy Gibbs widow of Sylvanus Gibbs late a pensioner of the United States under the act of 7 th June 1832—for a pension under the act of 4 th July 1836. —
The Supplemental Deposition of Betsy Gibbs widow as aforesaid, who testifies and says, that her late husband, the said Sylvanus Gibbs, was a Captain in the militia in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut for several years previous to his death, and generally went by the name of "Captain Gibbs" that in consequence hereof when the title of "Captain" occurred in the declarations heretofore signed by her she did not understand it as applying to him when serving in the war of the revolution particularly, and in fact she this Declarant has the little personal knowledge of

the services of said Sylvanus during said war, and is unable as stated in her previous declarations, to give a spe- cification of them - That said Sylva- nus Gibbs is the same individual who received, if this Declarant remembers right during his lifetime, a pension or annuity of about sixty three dol- lars per annum, but under what act she cannot say - That he per- formed his services as she believes in the State of Connecticut at least for a portion of the time, or at least that he was attached to the Connecticut line of troops, and received his pen- sion while residing in that State, & accordingly believes, that he must have been placed on the Connecti- cut pension roll -
Betsy Gibbs mark
Subscribed & Sworn this 8 th day of November 1837
before me -
Counsellor S. Coole
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Schen- ectada
State of New York County of Schenectada Clerk's office } 82.

Jonathan C.
Burnham Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Cornelius S. Conde Esq. before whom the preceding deposition of Betsy Gibbs purports to have been sworn, was at the time thereof, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, duly Commissioned & qualified, and that the signature to the same purporting to be his, is genuine.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this first day of December 1837-
Jon. C. Burnham Clerk

The Deposition of Thomas Heath of the town of Sharon in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut who testifies and says - That in the Deposition which he has heretofore given in support of the application of Mr. Baker, Gibbs, the widow of Sylvanus Gibbs late of said Sharon, now deceased, the Deponent did not intend to convey the idea that the said Sylvanus Gibbs was a Captain in the Revolutionary War - The service performed by the said Gibbs which was proved by this Deponent was that of a private soldier - The said Sylvanus Gibbs was afterwards a Captain in the Militia of the State of Connecticut and in that way obtained the title of "Captain Gibbs" by which name he was well known and called until the day of his death, and in that account the Deponent in his former deposition spoke of him by that title - and further the Deponent saith not -
Thomas Heath

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield - Nov. 24, 1887
Then Personally appeared Thomas Heath and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him submitted before me. - And I further certify that the said Thomas Heath is a credible witness
Chas. F. Pequek Justice of the Peace
The Deposition of Calvin Jay of Sharon in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut who testifies that he is now of the age of seventy two years and has always resided in the said town of Sharon that from early life he has well acquainted with Captain Sylvanus Gibbs who formerly resided in said Sharon but who is now deceased. The Deponent also knew the wife of said Sylvanus Gibbs before her intermarriage with the said Gibbs.

When she bore the name of Betsey Elmore and who this Deponent is informed is now living with her daughter Mrs. Hamlin in the vicinity of Schenectady N.Y.-
The said Gibbs was a Captain in the Militia of the State of Connecticut and for many years before his death he was commonly called Captain Gibbs . This Deponent well remembers that the said Gibbs went into the army in the Revolutionary war, but how often and when the deponent does not now remember except that the Deponent believes that he went once to the Southward -
Calvin Gay,
State of Connecticut for County of Litchfield. On this 29 th Day of November 1837 Personally appeared Calvin Gay Esq. who subscribed the foregoing Deponent and made solemn oath to the truth

of the same the said Gay being a credible witness before me Chas. F. Frazar Justice of the Peace
I Origen S. Seymour Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that Charles F. Frazar Esq. of Shermer is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and that the foregoing Official signatures by him purporting to be made are genuine —
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court at Litchfield this 1 st day of December A D 1837 — Origen S. Seymour Clerk

The Supplemental Deposition of Betsy Gibbs of the Town of Glenville in the County of Schenectada & State of New York, who testifies & says, that she is the widow of Sylvanus Gibbs deceased, and an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed 4 th July 1830. That she has no distinct recollection of the military services of her husband Sylvanus Gibbs aforesaid, during said war, having never been particularly informed on the subject - and many particulars which she did once know, have long since escaped her recollection - she remembers that her said husband was a Captain & served in a Regiment commanded by one Colonel Samuel Elmer of Sharon, County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut - that her said husband in his capacity of Captain as aforesaid, on one occasion went to the Northward, but whether it was to Canada or not she cannot remember - this Deponent remembers too that he served till about the close of the said war of the revolution - & further cannot say.
Betsy Gibbs mark.
On this first day of August 1837, personally appeared before me the undersigned, Betsy Gibbs above named, to me well known, who made oath, that the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition by her signed, are true & correct.
C. S. Conde
one of the Judges of the Court of Com: Pleas in & for said county

State of New York County of Schenectada } Clerk's office — }
I, Jonathan A. Burnham Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that Cornelius S. Conde Esq whose name appears to the within Certificate, was at the time of his signing the same & is now one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, and that the signature to the same purporting to be his, is genuine
Witness my hand & seal at office this 2 d day of August 1837. —
Jon. A. Burnham Clerk

PAID 10
Charles H. Sedgwick Esq, Town of Sharon Co. of Litchfield Connecticut
Wigh p o

Sir:-
In preparing the pension papers in the matter of the application of Betsy Gibbs widow of Sylvanus Gibbs under the act of 4 th July 1834, not knowing any of the facts of the case further than they appeared from the affidavit of Thomas Heath, taken before you, I made an error, which has delayed the decision on this application since May last.
Thomas Heath in his affidavit speaks of Mr Gibbs, under the name of "Captain Sylvanus Gibbs". I therefore took it for granted, that Mr Gibbs had been a Captain in the war of the revolution. When I was informed that he received a pension of only $63 per annum, it appeared to be rather a small sum for a Captain to receive, yet I came to the conclusion, that he might have made out only six months' service - but even then he would have received $120 per ann. This incongruity however did not strike me very forcibly except at the time. I so represented Mr Gibbs in the declaration of the widow as a Captain in the army of the revolution. She swore to it, probably without clearly understanding the matter, and my attention was not again called to this point until yesterday, when the long expected answer of the Commission of Pensions arrived, stating that "there was no Captain by the name of Elmore Gibbs in Col. Elmore's Regiment". Now in order

To do away with the effect of Mr Heath's affidavit, it strikes me it will be necessary for Mr Heath to take a new affidavit before you & state therein that when he took made the deposition above referred to, he did not mean or intend to have it understood, that Sylvanus Gibbs was a Captain in the wars of the Revolution , but that he designated him by the title of Captain , a title he had acquired subsequent to his service in that war, & by which he was known for a long time previous to his death. There has been so much delay in this matter already, that Mrs Gibbs has become impatient. Please therefore oblige the old lady by forwarding Mr Heath's affidavit soon. If Mr Heath or any body else in your neighborhood, can testify as to the identity of Mr Gibbs, & that he received a pension, it is desirable to have it done: And better yet, if they can testify in what Company & Regiment he served. I will advance expenses, on your informing me of the amount.
Yours respectfully
Giles F. Yates
Schenectady Nov. 4. 1837.
P.S. The aff te of Heath to bear a certificate of credibility attached to it by you, & the Certificate of O.P. Cuyler Clerk of Schenectady Co. to be appended showing your official character.